Study co-author Zhuo “Adam” Chen

Inadequate physical activity is costing Americans thousands, and according to a new study from the University of Georgia and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cost keeps rising.

The study, published in the American Journal for Health Promotion, found that a lack of movement accounted for $192 billion in annual healthcare costs, an $80 billion increase from a similar study completed in 2015.

“The last estimate was completed about 10 years ago, and we know that, since then, the American population has become more physically active but with an uneven distribution  ” said study co-author Zhuo “Adam” Chen, professor and director of the UGA College of Public Health DrPH program.

The study utilized data from the 2010-2018 National Health Interview Survey and the 2012-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. By merging these datasets, researchers had a final sample of more than 75,000 participants.

Adequate physical activity is considered more than 150 minutes of aerobic movement per week, and about 52.4% of participants met this qualification. About 27% were inactive, meaning they participated in less than 10 minutes of activity per week.

Less activity results from habits, environment

Modern conveniences, including cars and electronics, as well as less walkable cities and more sedentary jobs, have led to a decrease in overall physical activity in the United States, Chen said. Researchers hope quantifying the financial implications will encourage changes at the individual and policy levels.

“It’s much more cost-effective to use lifestyle interventions, such as a more physically active lifestyle, to reduce risk for diabetes, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and more,” Chen said. “Being physically active may not incur much financial cost, unlike pharmaceuticals or other interventions.”

But while overall physical activity has plateaued since 2020 across the board and costs have gone up, Chen noted that the number of physically inactive people has reduced.

“We believe this is because the individuals who are physically inactive are more likely to have chronic conditions or existing health issues, so they are incurring higher medical expenditures,” Chen said.

Policy and personal implications

Promotion of physical activity has increased in recent years, Chen said, but not all audiences are adopting recommended changes. To reach more people, it is up to multiple parties, ranging from physicians to policy leaders.

“I hope that policy makers can look at the cost of physical inactivity and consider the policy options they can promote,” Chen said. “We can also continue to design, develop and scale up things like rural health initiatives which promote increased physical activity.”

Built environment should also be considered, Chen said. Areas with major roadways and few sidewalks have many barriers to low-stakes physical activity, such as going for a walk.

Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of public health research and identifying how systems can support better health, Chen said.

“Good economic evaluation can provide policy makers and the public information they need and should take into consideration, and I think they can build up bits of scientific basis for decision making,” Chen said. “And that’s a reason for students to study public health.”

By Erica Techo